Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park facts for kids

Carnwath Manor at Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park

Carnwath Farms Historic Site & Park is a large park in Wappinger, New York. It covers almost 100 acres! This park has many cool old buildings. You can see the Carnwath Manor, built in 1850, and an old carriage house from 1873. There's also a cottage from 1927 and the Carnwath Chapel. The Frances Reese Cultural Center, which holds the Sports Museum of Dutchess County, is also here. Plus, there are lots of trails for hiking and walking!

Exploring Carnwath Farms History

Early Days of Carnwath Manor

Carnwath Manor was first built in 1850. A retired hardware merchant from New York City, William Henry Willis, and his wife Lydia, had it constructed. The house was designed in a style called Italianate. This style was popular back then.

New Owners and Changes

In 1855, the estate was sold to George Barclay. He was the son of a British diplomat in New York. George Barclay was a partner in a big business company. He passed away at the estate in 1869.

His daughter, Matilda Antonia, married Francis Robert Rives. Francis was a lawyer from New York City. His father was a well-known diplomat from Virginia. Francis Rives worked as a secretary for the American government in London for a time. The road leading to the estate was even named Rives Avenue for a while. Today, it is called Wheeler Hill Road.

Rives Family Improvements

Francis Rives was a member of important clubs in New York City. He made many changes to Carnwath Manor. He also built the carriage house, a cow barn, and an ice house. He passed away at Carnwath in 1891 and is buried nearby.

His son, Reginald Rives, inherited the estate. Reginald was very good at driving horse-drawn coaches. He was also a vice-president of the Coaching Club. He owned another home in California but often returned to New York for club events. In 1894, Reginald's coach won first prize at the Dutchess County Fair. He was an expert on coach horses and often judged horse shows.

Later Owners and Public Park

In 1914, Reginald Rives sold Carnwath to Isaac Untermyer. In 1925, a group of Augustinian Friars bought the property. They called it the Novitiate of Our Mother of the Good Counsel. The friars built the chapel that is still there today in 1950.

In 1980, the property was sold to Greystone Programs, Inc. Then, in 1999, the Town of Wappinger bought Carnwath Farms. They turned it into a public park for everyone to enjoy. The first group to use the park was the Sports Museum of Dutchess County in 2005. Carnwath Farms is part of the Wheeler Hill Historic District, but it is also a special historic site on its own.